Erdrich's novels are all about the same characters and setting, and people and stories overlap and intertwine. But this is the only novel that doesn't feel complete in and of itself. Parts of the book are simply wonderful--particularly, Lipsha's account of how he came to get a tatoo. Worth the price of admission for that story alone--but still, for an Erdrich fan, a bit of a disappointment.

I had not expected to like this book... when I began it, I was sure that I would have to force myself to the end because I tend to like the romantic happily-ever-after sort of story, but once I began, Erdrich caught me in the absurdities of the world of Lipsha. I have read many reviews that do not find Lipsha an especially likable character, but I liked him despite the fact that he was the sort who would instinctively choose the wrong way to do anything. The sheer absurdity of Erdrich's work, including a food fight in Dairy Queen between romantic rivals, a vision quest that brought forth a talking skunk, and a ghostly mother who wanted the T-bird that her insurance money bought, adds just enough humor to make even the defeats of Lipsha amusing rather than tragic. The book is worth a try, especially if seen in terms of Lipsha's returning home to find the kinship with the land that he had lost -- a slow healing process. The skunk tells him, "It ain't real estate," and at the base of all the other adventures he begins to realize this, but as with so many young people, the discovery is slow coming and fraught with disasters

My family was recently transferred to North Dakota with the Air Force. Before we moved we wanted to learn more about it, since we had never been here. It was very difficult to find ANYTHING in print about North Dakota. I finally found an older copy of this book in a book store in Anchorage, AK, and then went on-line and ordered the new edition.

While I think this book is pretty decent, I wish I could find a book with more pictures. While North Dakota is hardly considered a popular tourist destination, there IS some pretty scenery. I think this book would be better if they added some sections with pictures. Otherwise, the book is pretty good. I would recommend it to anyone considering travel in North Dakota (or South Dakota, it also has a section on that state), but then again I have not come across a single other book that focuses on North Dakota as much.

I really enjoyed reading all about the Dakotas. I plan on traveling to learn more about my roots. This book will really help me plan my travels.

I found this book to be interesting enough that I hated for it to end. As the author took me through the rural area of the Dakotas, I could reach back in my early childhood days and visualize the community, the people, the weather and the relics of generations of hand me downs even though I come from another part of the country. I like dialogue but the descriptive scenes were not boring but entertaining and put me right there. I appreciated the togetherness of the sisters in spite of their differences and infighting and I liked the closeness of those on the fringe of the immediate family. We knew most of what was going to happen as we went along but how it unfolded and how they were going to deal with it, including the authorities, kept me reading. I would like to read more of this author.

Mavis is the first book I read by Brenda K.Marshall and I personally think that she is a very good writer. What I liked about this book is that she didn't give the story away, which I thought was very impressive, because usually in books like these, the author may give the story away a little too soon. What I didn't like about this novel is that I never found out about who got accused for the murder. I would reccommend this book for grades seven and up.

I've been to South Dakota a number of times and have had many questions about the landscape, etc. This book has the answers and the pictures to go with it. I especially appreciated the glossary and the further-reading list.

I bought this book for a weeklong driving tour through North and South Dakota, and found this book invaluable. If you are interesting in the natural resources and park systems in these places, it has lotsa info you won't get in maps (especially many beautiful color photos) altho the advice given wasn't always useful.

this is the story of tyler and issac adventures when they set of to the west to find there place in the world. When they are given up as slaves to an Indian tribe, Thier world changes dramatcly. Tyler, who is white , is treated badly, while Issac, A black former slave, is treated with respect. Tyler is very confused at this. He realizes he is jealous, and begins to question how he treats other people, including Issac, and his own brother. Tyler realizes he has had privliges just because of who he is and the color of his skin. Tyler desperatly wants to escape yet Issac, who has never been treated so well is thinking of staying. This book is more than your simple action adventure story. It explores friendship, race, loyality, and other difficult choices that a boy must make before he becomes a man. This is the follow up to the excellent Bigger, and then Sooner.
All these stories are highly reccommended

Wonderful old and new photos - interesting bits of info. in captions - great pictorial history of Bismarck

I find this book to be very interesting and educational although, I am not very sure that the kids will find it too interesting where it talks about politics and religion. Its very interesting to read about Velma and her family and their struggle, but some of the things are boring to read even for me and I am Velma (the main character in the book). This is one of those books that might make people stop and think for a second about their life and what they have. The sad thing is that its only for a second that they stop and appreciate life. Robin tried to explain the best way she could what happens when people come to the US and also the reason for their coming. The book is not very hard to understand especailly since everyone has heard of Bosnia and what happened there. I had fun reading it for the first time (I kind of laughed at some of the things I said). I guess now that I am 17 years old, I don't think the same way. Overall the book gives you a warm feeling at the end to know that Velma and her family made it and that they are safe.

A Class Act was a really well written story with good content but too much dependence on the bed scenes to hold the story together.

Rafe Strongheart was a Tribal police chief who was very interested in helping the young boys who were turning out to be hellions.

Carly Austin, who had been in high school about the same time as Rafe had become a very accomplished teacher and was now working for the system. The school is connected with the Indian Reservation and their people.

Frankie Fire Cloud was becoming a bone of contention between Rafe and Carly. Carly tended to see the good in people and Rafe was always aware of how the boys could ruin their lives.

Blame it on a Blizzard! Although Carly had been around, Rafe had not come in contact with her until a blizzard hit. And he had to save her. They were snowed in until the BIA Road Commission could plow them out.

During that time Carly learned of Rafe's horses and that he painted. Apparently Rafe had fallen for Carly fifteen years before but had issues to settle and he squelched his feelings and now Carly is seeing the man and tries a little positive pursueing. There follows a bit of gentle give and take as Rafe resists Carly's advances and she has a couple of mild scurmishes with the boys and Rafe.

She finally takes Rafe to meet her grandfather. therein is another story. grin. But she does succeed in seducing Rafe and oh la! here we go again.

She does get Rafe to finally tell his story [after the shootout] It is a story to enjoy and then pass around but doesn't have much staying power. Characters are excellent, story is pretty darn good but . . . . . Ah Well, see for yourself, you should enjoy.

Dakota Diaspora is a lovely book which tells of the author's experiences as a child growing up Jewish on the prairie. From Russia to "Nordakota" Ms. Trupin attempts to understand her parents and their motivations for leaving the "known" for such a great "unknown." She draws mostly upon her own childhood memories, rather than gathering first-hand accounts from her parents. I found the ending somewhat disappointing because we don't find out if the author was able to maintain her Yiddishkeit, which her mother was so concerned that the children would lose without a strong Jewish community. A great book for those looking for a good biography. As a Torah-seeking Kansan, I appreciated reading about a turn-of-the-century Jewish family who departed from the well trodden paths to New York and Chicago in order to live on the land AND maintain a Torah lifestyle.

This is not a book without merit; it simply is a book that strectches out storylines that could have been wrapped up in one book. Toby Holt stills has to quell the northern tier from Ma Hastings and Red Cloud, such as he had to in Montana. Meanwhile, Beth Blake undergoes captivity and a homicide trial that has little in the means of suspense.

Still, I like the story dealing with Toby's and Gentle Doe's affair, and the introduction of Kale Salton continues the Ross tradition of having "ladies of ill repute" seens as angels trapped in a bad guy's profession. I give this book a generous 4 stars.